The Dales town of Settle

Slopes below Ingleborough

Kettlewell

Brimham Rocks

UK-based travel specialist On Foot Holidays offers 31 self-guided walking routes in 13 countries throughout Europe and added a third route in England.

From the vale to the peaks in God’s Own Country, the Yorkshire Dales is On Foot Holidays’ first route in the north of the country. Referred to as “Limestone Country”, the Yorkshire Dales was the nursery training for the famous English geologists of the 18th and 19th century who laid the foundations for the science of sedimentary geology. The limestone pavements around Malham and Ingleborough showcase the limestone in this region which are important parts of this walking route. The walk showcases the two sides of Yorkshire’s rural heritage and was designed by local residents and On Foot Holidays’ clients.

Starting in the eastern lowlands, in the little cathedral city of Ripon, the first day takes walkers straight to one of the most important centers of medieval England—Fountains Abbey which owned vast tracts of county before Henry VIII decided that he would keep them for himself and his barons.

Route highlights include Ripon and its cathedral, indulging in Yorkshire pudding and Gallic flair in quintessential pubs; experiencing Settle and the steam railway to Carlisle; Fountains Abbey; dry stone walls and unspoiled villages; the cliff of Malham Cove; the ascent of Ingleborough; and more.

The full version of the seven-night Yorkshire Dales route includes nine to 15 miles per day (about 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours of walking)—shorter durations are available.